A comparative study of fears and anxieties of student physicians anticipating the female pelvic and cardiac exams

Abstract

One hundred and forty-three sophomore student physicians were the study population for two similar 20-item questionnaires regarding fears and anxieties in anticipation of performing the female pelvic examination (FPE) and female cardiac examination (FCE). Fears regarding the FCE were never higher than the FPE. Fears regarding the FPE were significantly higher than those for the FCE for 16 of the 20 items. the category with highest level of fear for both questionnaires related to concerns regarding the student's internal feelings of competence. the lowest level of fear related to the student encountering a negative reaction from the patient. When responses were analyzed for sex differences, females had significantly higher fears than males in 4 of 20 items for the FPE questionnaire. However, males had significantly higher fears than females in 12 of 20 items for the FCE questionnaire.

Key Words:

• Student physician
• Medical student
• Fears and anxieties
• Pelvic examination
• Cardiac examination
• Physical diagnosis
• Physical examination